AUSTRALIAN RACING

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1935, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN RACING

MR. C. GOMER’S IMPRESSIONS. FINE RIDING OF VOITRE. Mr. H. T. C. Gomer, chief stipendiary steward to the New Zealand Racing Conference, returned from Australia by the Wanganella on Wednesday after spending a month’s leave in New South Wales and Victoria, writes “The Watcher” in the Dominion. Mr. Gomer saw a good deal of racing while away, doing the A.J.C. spring meeting at Randwick, and in Victoria several fixtures such as Moonee Valley, Geelong, Woodend. Racing in the metropolitan areas in both States, said Mr. Gomer, was very good and on a high plane, but in the country districts it was poor. Geelong, for instance, with a population of between 60,000 and 70,000, was finding difficulty in carrying on. Newcastle was another one-time big racing centre that had quite faded out of the picture. The authorities attributed this state of affairs mostly to wireless broadcasting. Such broadcasting over there was not subject to the same restrictions as in New Zealand, practically everything of any value to the “punter,” including starting prices and even progress betting, being given over the air. Consequently, thousands of people stayed at home or in clubs by wireless sets and did their betting by means of off-the-course “books” or shops. To indicate the extent of this business, the fines for illegal betting in the Sydney metropolitan area for the three months ended September 30 totalled no less than £14,254 10s. The thing that struck a New Zealander most in connection with Australian racing compared with racing in the Dominion jfras the transport of horses. Over there it was extremely cheap, enabling an owner to race, at little cost beyond training and nomination and acceptance fees. Mr. Gonier, considered that an effort to reduce similar costs to the owner in New Zealand would benefit the game more than anything else. Australian horses looked in great condition, and Peter Pan was a “top-hole' champion. The three-year-olds in Victoria looked better than those of New South Wales, but Homer’s loss was a very severe one. Homer had grown into a, perfect specimen of the thoroughbred horse, and had just come right. It was the opinion of good judges that he would have gone far. Voitre was riding exceptionally well and was looked upon as one of Australia’s leading riders. Mr. Gomer saw him win on the Hawthorn filly Link Divine, and it was only his masterly run through on the rails, that got her home; in fact, Voitre stole the race. Mr. Hazlett has a useful team and is making It pay. Gold Rod, the Chief Ruler colt, who won the Breeders’ Plate is a fine colt. He spreadeagled his field in that classic event. , The majority of the New Zealand horses were off colour. Gay Blonde was only a shadow of herself, yet she ran good races and Mr. Gomer considered several of the Dominion representatives had only to strike form to show the Australians that they were good horses. hawera track work WAVERLEY PREPARATIONS. SOME GOOD' PERFORMANCES. (By “Limited.”) Track and overhead conditions were good at the Hawera racecourse on Saturday morning for the final gallops o several of the horses engaged at Waverley to-day. . The Waverley Cup horses Run, Aga Khan and Carfex were allotted strong pacework. All three have apparently recovered from the soreness that affected th S fast work was performed on the course proper, the pegs remaining 20ft °The hurdler Ruaform (Conway) did a good work-out over a mile m lm 504 s being excellently picked up the thiee furlongs post by Waiongona (OConnell). The latter finished in . front, the three furlongs being covered in 41s. Bantry (O’Connell) went away slowly from the six furlongs and was brought home the final half mile by (Cole) who finished a length in front i 535. Bantry's time for the six furlongs Kentucky Song (Cole), starting from the seven furlongs post, sprinted three furlongs down the back in 401 s. Autumn Leaf (Cote) finished a neck in front of qeleste (Cook) over half a mile covered in 5215. Carfex worked a round at O ood three, quarter pace, Suri (Sheild) being apportioned a similar task. Both worked freely and pulled up sound. / . The maiden Kia Ora (Button) sprinted three furlongs down, the back smartly in 39 l-ss. . . Hunting Lad (Button) occupied 41s m executing a similar task. In a working gallop on the plough Aga Khan (Cole) covered seven furlongs m Im 3845. . Gold Gleam (Sheild) went away very smartly from the five furlongs, covering his first two. furlongs in 254 s and completing the five furlongs in Im 6 l-ss—a smart effort. • ,' Supreme Court did easy pacework on the inside plough. HAWERA HOPES AT WAVERLEY. Bay Sand having gone amiss, Hawera will have Ruaform and Dombey in the hurdle race at Waverley to-day. Ruaform has brightened during the last week and is galloping well. He does not jump as well as formerly in his schooling essays but in what appears a weak field he promises to go out well fancied. Dombey has schooled well and though making his first attempt at hurdle racing, may be found taking a prominent part in the finish. In the maiden race Hawera has four representatives —Supreme Court, en tucky Song, Autumn Leaf and Kia Ora. Supreme Court has been causing Trainer J. Fryer anxiety during the past few days and he is unlikely to start. Kentucky Song has made good progress lately and has a placed performance to her credit. Autumn Leaf has also been shaping well in his track work, which if reproduced will make him dangerous. Kia Ora has been responsible for some smart track efforts and will have plenty of Celeste and Roy# Dispute are the Hawera horses in the Wilson highweight hack race, Princess Gowrie being an unlikely starter. Of the pair Celeste may be the better fancied as he stays fairly well. , . With Ruri,. Aga Khan and Carfex in the Waverley Cup Hawera is strongly represented, as any one of the trio Is capable of running out the. distance and all worked satisfactorily in their last trials. Carfex if suited by atmospheric conditions may be found in the firing line. Gold Mission is the ruling favourite but Ruri and Aga Khan will also claim many supporters. The Moumahaki Stakes will see a small field engaged and Bantry on account of his consistent running promises to go out favourite. The Jackson Stakes should provide a good betting race, With Hawera well represented. Gold Gleam is very well at present, and with the winner of the maiden race is likely to claim most support of the Hawera horses.